Apparently, our town has a public library. I say that jokingly because we’ve never fully taken advantage of it.
It’s an awesome library.
We used to go to story time at the library regularly when Jude was a little guy. And then I stopped taking him when Jett became mobile. I found myself throwing Jett at someone to go chase after Jude or vice versa while we were there. Honestly, it was for my own comfort that we stopped going. It’s just one of those things that having the boys so close together wasn’t great for: library visits and shopping of any kind.
We’ve been to a few events since and many play dates, but never had checked out a stinking book! Really, I just didn’t want them to destroy anything that wasn’t our own. They have been very hard on books in the past: ripping & tearing out pages, chewing corners, drawing on them. Yeah, we’ve had to throw away many a book in this house. But now they understand a little bit better that the books from the library need to be treated with special care.
Monday when Josh was home we walked with the kids to the library, got them library cards and signed them up for the summer reading program. We only checked out two books and three DVDs to start with, but we are anxious to go back and get new selections soon.
As a part of their bedtime routine we read books every single night, but it’s pretty rare during the day that we sit down and read. Yesterday, however, I was exhausted from not sleeping much the night before, plus we had gone for a walk in the morning and played at the park… I just didn’t want to move if you want the truth. I asked the kids to get in bed with me and had them choose book after book to read until we’d been reading for well over an hour. It was such a nice break and might be the lifesaver I need as I’m feeling more and more tired as these final weeks of pregnancy pass.
During our reading session, Jude chose a book about the Declaration of Independence – it is a really old book written for elementary school aged children that we picked up at a book sale awhile back but had never attempted reading before. That boy sat and listened to the whole thing – I was shocked. It was approximately 40 pages, and some of those pages didn’t even have any illustrations! I couldn’t believe that it actually captured his attention; it probably helped that the “thirteen original colonies” were mentioned, just like in their “Fifty Nifty United States” song. I even got a refresher course in the history of our nation: BONUS! Jett wasn’t as interested, he bailed after the map section towards the front of the book. It’s understandable.
So yeah, I’m jazzed about reading now! Who’s with me? Show of hands? ANYONE? It’s, like, the latest, hottest thing. Everyone’s doing it.
Ok, I’m going to level with you, I’m writing this late at night starting to feel a little goofy. I’m up with acid reflux AGAIN. I didn’t even tell you guys about last Friday night. Well, I guess it’s a short story: I ate a bowl of ice cream at 8:30 pm… and went to bed at 9:30 – the following morning! That’s when I was finally able to lie down and sleep. I was up the entire night! Luckily it was a weekend Josh didn’t have to work so I slept from 9:30 am to 2 pm while he watched the kids. I thought I’d give ice cream another try. I thought I could handle it.
I was wrong! And now I’m officially off the wicked stuff.
Hey Jess, good for you and books, that awesome, I read to the girls all the time and then in elementary the focus on reading. I love to read, my girls not so much now because they have to so much in school, but hopefully the foundation of reading to them still paid off. Too bad about the acid reflux and ice cream of all things, why couldn’t it be aparagus or something healthy, huh. Oh, well, just a few more weeks and your new little guy will be here. Take care and calll if you need an evening out, my babies are grown and don’t want to be around me anymore, its AWESOME! I’m free most nights.
we too read nightly and go to the library during the school year… as for the acid reflux and ice cream, what if you start eating ice cream with say lunch… would that help the absorption to calm any chance of reflux? when i was PG if i ate anything before i went to bed at night, i had terrible heartburn!! so that was a no no no matter what i ate!!
Love, love, love books! My parents subscribed to a book club for me one Christmas before I started to school I treasured those books and still have them to this day. Of course, this was back in the day when a toy box held few toys and lots of big fat Sears catalogs! My favorite was “How Joe the Bear and Sam the Mouse Got Together”. I could “read” that book before I started school. I loved reading all thru school (but not necessarily studying!) and am still an avid reader to this day. I currently have four books going. I’ve recently started going to the library in Atlantic. My biggest disease is for some reason, I’ve always felt the need to own the books I read. People have complained loudly through my many moves that I have too many books!
Sorry about the acid reflux. It must be very miserable.
Jessie, I love books and am so happy you are back in the library routine. My favorite childrens’ authors are Jan Brett and Audrey Wood. Their illustrations are great. Hope you feel better and hope to see you next week if it works out! Summer is going fast!
Jessie – Have you tried sleeping propped up on pillows? I developed acid reflux during a very stressful time of my life and found that sleeping flat on my back was terrible – sleeping propped up or even in a LazyBoy was better – not as comfortable but it was worth it not to feel so awful – also, small frequent meals instead of bigger ones helped. Hope you feel better really soon!!!
As a teacher, I think I will give you an A+! Reading to your children is one of the most important thing you can do to prepare them for school. My son has loved all of the Eric Carle books, and reads them all from memory. His favorite book right now is “It’s Hard to be Five” by Jamie Lee Curtis because he can’t wait to turn 5!